经集（Sujato 英译）第 59 阅读页 · SNP4.6 · Old Age

Anthology of Discourses 4.6Anthology of Discourses 4.6Old AgeOld Age

Short, alas, is this life;Short, alas, is this life;you die before a hundred years.you die before a hundred years.Even if you live a little longer,Even if you live a little longer,

you still die of old age.you still die of old age.People grieve over belongings,People grieve over belongings,yet there is no such thing as permanent possessions.yet there is no such thing as permanent possessions.

Separation is a fact of life; when you see this,Separation is a fact of life; when you see this,you wouldn’t stay living at home.you wouldn’t stay living at home.Whatever a person thinks of as belonging to them,Whatever a person thinks of as belonging to them,

that too is given up when they die.that too is given up when they die.Knowing this, an astute follower of mineKnowing this, an astute follower of minewould not be bent on ownership.would not be bent on ownership.

Just as, upon awakening, a person does not seeJust as, upon awakening, a person does not seewhat they encountered in a dream;what they encountered in a dream;so too you do not see your loved onesso too you do not see your loved ones

when they are dead and gone.when they are dead and gone.You used to see and hear those folk,You used to see and hear those folk,and call them by their name.and call them by their name.

Yet the name is all that’s left to tellYet the name is all that’s left to tellof a personage when they’re gone.of a personage when they’re gone.Those who are greedy for belongingsThose who are greedy for belongings

don’t give up sorrow, lamentation, and stinginess.don’t give up sorrow, lamentation, and stinginess.That’s why the sages, seers of sanctuary,That’s why the sages, seers of sanctuary,left possessions behind and wandered.left possessions behind and wandered.

For a mendicant who lives withdrawn,For a mendicant who lives withdrawn,frequenting a secluded seat,frequenting a secluded seat,they say it’s fittingthey say it’s fitting

to not show themselves in a home.to not show themselves in a home.The sage is independent everywhere,The sage is independent everywhere,they don’t form likes or dislikes.they don’t form likes or dislikes.

Lamentation and stinginessLamentation and stinginessslip off them like water from a leaf.slip off them like water from a leaf.Like a droplet slips from a lotus-leaf,Like a droplet slips from a lotus-leaf,

like water from a lotus flower;like water from a lotus flower;the sage doesn’t cling to thatthe sage doesn’t cling to thatwhich is seen or heard or thought.which is seen or heard or thought.

For the one who is cleansed does not conceiveFor the one who is cleansed does not conceivein terms of things seen, heard, or thought.in terms of things seen, heard, or thought.They do not wish to be purified by another;They do not wish to be purified by another;

they are neither passionate nor growing dispassioned.they are neither passionate nor growing dispassioned.